unemployment insurance for 2 million americans and lays the groundwork for further work on both growth and deficit reduction. >> raising taxes could still be red ink as far as i can see and it would hurt jobs. >> reporter: some long-time lawmakers are dismayed by the perpetual gridlock. >> i feel it's more likely we'll go over the cliff than not and if we allow that to happen, it will be the most colossal consequential act of irresponsible in a long time --er responsibility. >> reporter: president obama is in hawaii. he says he will cut his vacation short to try to hammer out a deal. the deadline a week away. >> if congress does not get anything done, then taxes will most likely go up for everyone. just about everyone on january 1st. unemployment benefits will also expire for many people. >>> international envoy working to end syria's civil war worries won't be able to help. one man said bashar assad discussed possible steps forward but has made little progress because both sides seem to be more interested in fighting. >>> authorities in india used violence to stop a week of rape protests. armed p